JAKARTA, Mar 21 (NNN-ANTARA) — Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Jose Ramos-Horta, is leading Timor Leste’s presidential election, garnering 44 percent out of 50 percent votes counted by yesterday afternoon, according to data from the country’s Election Secretariat, as reported by local media.
The South-east Asian nation just had the presidential election on Saturday, presenting 16 candidates in the political contest.
Incumbent president, Francisco Guterres, garnered 22.66 percent. Meanwhile, none of the rest of 14 candidates reached 10 percent.
Ramos-Horta, who is one of Timor Leste’s founding fathers, and the country’s former president, is backed by the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction Party.
Meanwhile, Guterres is endorsed by the Revolutionary Front for the Independent East Timor Party.
The final data is expected to be published in the coming days.
A runoff will be held between the top two candidates on Apr 19, if no one manages to secure at least 50 percent of the votes, according to the secretariat.– NNN-ANTARA
